缅北禁地

Mr. Henry Puna, Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum,

缅北禁地Resident Coordinators, 

Members of the 缅北禁地Inter-Agency Working Group on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent,

Bula Vinaka from Fiji.

I thank you all for joining us today to discuss our collective efforts for implementing the 2050 Strategy.  And I am so very pleased to be here in Fiji for the meeting.  

As you will recall, this Working Group was set up following the meeting of PIF leaders with the 缅北禁地Secretary General in September 2022 to support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy by the 缅北禁地system. I was mandated by the SG to lead this process.  Engagement with, and support to, the Pacific Island nations, is high on the Secretary General agenda. 

Today’s meeting has two-fold objectives:

1.    Update each other on key developments related to the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent; and
2.    To discuss future opportunities for the Working Group to provide more coordinated support to the Pacific Island nations at the global level.

I am very happy that the CROP – UNCT Principles for Dialogue and Engagement will be signed this afternoon here in Suva, which will provide a solid framework for fostering stronger relations between the 缅北禁地country teams here in the Pacific and CROP agencies.

Last November, the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan was endorsed by the Pacific leaders outlining the specific goals, and regional collective actions for the Strategy.

Members of the Inter-Agency Working Group were given the opportunity to provide inputs for the Plan.  I thank you all for your contribution towards that end.

We will hear more details about the Principles for Dialogue and Engagement, and the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan during this meeting. [PIFS and RC Fiji will make presentation about this]

Allow me now to share some of my own reflections about the future work of the working group.
First - my Office will prepare a workplan that will consider the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan, the Principles for Dialogue and Engagement and the 缅北禁地Pacific Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. In the process of developing the workplan, we will consult our colleagues here in the region, including the PIF Secretariat, to ensure that our efforts at the global level complements and adds value to what is being done in the region. 

 Given the fact that important work is already underway at the regional level, I would appreciate your views and perspectives on how we can be more strategic in advocating for the 2050 Strategy at the global level, especially to ensure stronger political momentum and support for the strategy.

Second - we will consult with you all on developing thematic key messages about the 2050 Strategy that is tailor-made for an international audience, including the 缅北禁地system and your respective principals, and their governing bodies. The goal is to ensure that support for the 2050 Strategy is high on everyone’s   agenda when they speak about the Pacific.
 
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Third – leveraging major international events as platforms to advocate for support and partnerships in realizing the 2050 Strategy. This includes the upcoming Fourth International Conference on SIDS taking place in Antigua and Barbuda next month (from 27-30 May), as well as others, including the High-Level Political Forum and the Summit of the Future.

Regarding SIDS4, I encourage all members of the Working Group to invite your respective principals to take the opportunity, where relevant, to draw attention to the 2050 Strategy in their engagements at the Conference. 

I will also be using the opportunity of the Conference to do just that. 

My Office is organizing the SIDS Global Business Network Forum from 25-26 May, a high-level Private Sector Roundtable on 28 May as well as partnering on side events including Loss and Damage, and the BBNJ Agreement.

Fourth – a monitoring and evaluation framework will be developed for the next programme of action, to be adopted at the SIDS4 Conference. 
My Office will be actively involved in the development of the monitoring framework.  We also see this as an opportunity to consult with the Working Group and our colleagues here in the region to ensure alignment with the implementation of the 2050 Strategy with other regional processes.

Before I conclude, I wish to inform you all that tomorrow I will speak at a dialogue on SIDS4 Conference with the Pacific Island Forum, CROP agencies, the Pacific UNCT colleagues, diplomatic corps and the civil society. 

 I look forward to engaging in a fruitful discussion on the priorities of the Pacific Island States for SIDS4, which will also have a bearing on future endeavours of the Working Group to ensure full and effective implementation of the 2050 strategy. 

Let me rest it here.  I look forward to hearing your views and ideas. 

I thank you.